Cashing in on Security

By Olivier Björksäter-Bleylock, Club Life: June, 2010

Have you ever questioned the security procedures in place for your club’s poker machine cash clearances and how they can be improved? Recently in search of alternative options to improve the security in place for cash clearances,  a club not only conceptualised a solution but partnered with a security provider to create a unique service that’s now available for the industry.

The lure of easy money is irresistible to both those who enjoy the occasional flutter and criminals alike. But those hoping to skew the odds illegally in their favour have tended to do so with guile, rather than guns. However, it’s undeniable that New South Wales has seen a disturbing trend in the last few years – an increase in violent crime, specifically robberies of registered clubs. Traditionally, violent robberies of clubs have been rare, but times have changed, particularly as the incidents of crime increase during an ailing global economy, particularly when it impacts locally.

Whilst it can be said some clubs wish to foster a welcoming environment and are thus reluctant to heighten security measures in the event it creates an unwelcoming feel; or perhaps the area and patron profile don’t require further security measures in place, it’s undeniable that violent crime exists and that clubs could be mistakenly identified as soft targets and, as a result, targeted themselves.

The good news is that clubs all over New South Wales are taking venue security very seriously, including in-house measures, and have adopted additional resources through to the implementation of the latest in high-tech solutions. But like anything, some measures can be questioned on what they ultimately achieve. For example, installing additional security cameras is a reinforcing preventative measure but cameras by nature are after the fact. Rather than an effective preventative tool, they’re an excellent investigative tool. On the flipside, surveillance equipment is still without doubt an effective measure of discouraging and reducing the incidence of crime. Other clubs have implemented further subtle measures such as through the delivery of customer service – that is, staff are trained to make contact with members as part of the welcoming experience, and while it’s a fact that a simple practice such as looking patrons in the eye lets them know that staff are taking notice of them, studies show that potential robbers are uncomfortable with the scrutiny.

Preventative security measures, whilst a necessary part of a club’s operations, don’t necessarily need be seen or experienced as aggressive defence tactics if you’re club is considering an audit of its security measures for improvement across the entire club operation. Rather, there are measures your club can implement that ensure security is air-tight without being intrusive. One such example of an innovative security measure recently implemented at Rooty Hill RSL demonstrates how an additional security measure can achieve a dramatic increase in security for both the venue and its occupants whilst achieving a reduction in cost. And it’s all thanks to what was initially an idea from the club’s Group General Manager, Andrew Eastham, which progressed through to a partnership with Chubb Security Services.

“The initial idea I had was when I was looking for a new solution to conducting our daily poker machine clearances for improved security and what options existed,” says Eastham. “Venue security is critical at Rooty Hill RSL as a result of our size and location which includes ensuring our cash clearance preventative measures are appropriate.”

Initially few options existed for Eastham to explore, but he remained determined to find a solution that the club could benefit from. After speaking with various security providers and greeted with general disinterest, Eastham then made contact with Chubb Security Services, the country’s leading provider of security and safety solutions. With more than 185 years of security and safety expertise with state-of-the art technology and a highly skilled workforce, many in the club industry might think their services would be priced at a premium with such a reputation, but not only are their services very competitively structured, Chubb Security Services was more than willing to discuss possible security options unlike any others. In fact, they took it a step further and researched, designed, and ultimately implemented a custom security package for poker machine clearances at Rooty Hill RSL – a service that until now never existed in the market. And whilst it’s benefited the club’s security measures, it’s also improved security and staff expenditure when compared against the cost of in-house personnel and additional security controls. Put simply, Chubb Security Services has developed a clearance service for clubs that takes full carriage of the club’s poker machine cash clearance operations...and the buck stops with them.

“Chubb Security have taken over the complete operation of machine clearances, and taken full responsibility from the moment a cabinet is opened through to when the safe is locked,” explains Eastham. “The entire process is highly professional and effectively carried out, and has not only improved security but also allowed the club to improve our operating costs, particularly in regards to staffing.”

Having comprehensively trained security personnel on the clearance operations of poker machines and the statutory requirements governing the access to electronic gaming machines, Chubb Security Services now provide the club with a suite of qualified armed guards outside of club operating hours to carry out all cash clearances and hopper refills on the gaming floor. Back of house, cash clearances are then audited behind locked doors and transported to the safe; clearances are entered against its respective machine number, and the total of all clearances recorded against a bulk count of the total money cleared from the machines. Should it occur, any discrepancy against an individual machine count is thoroughly investigated and is the responsibility of Chubb Security Services. “It’s certainly a partnership that removes a lot of the stress from the club when it comes to floor clearances and cash handling, and that can only be seen as positive,” adds Eastham. “It also improves our in-house operations as our staff are no longer rostered for the role and better utilised according to the needs of the business.”

Despite any internal auditor’s best intentions, some types of crimes also occur in-house, and if an employee is determined, it’s not a guarantee that a club’s security procedures and measures when it comes to cash handling are 100% preventable if someone knows the ‘system’ and any cracks that may exist. It can easily lead to deception, abuse, corruption, and theft, but with Chubb Security Services now in place, Rooty Hill RSL can now stack the deck in the club’s favour.

“Security conscious cash management procedures aim to make cash less visible and less accessible during handling, transfer, and storage and what Chubb Security Services now offers is a complete service that now encompasses the clearance of poker machines, further minimising the risk factors involved from careless or reckless behaviour when handling cash through to extreme situations such as robbery,” explains Martin Morris, Cash Automation Manager at Chubb Security Services. “In establishing this custom service for Rooty Hill RSL, we saw it as a complementary addition to the range of services we already offer and have designed it so our cash clearance procedures can be replicated into any club environment.”

Armed with the benefits of increased security for the venue as well as for staff, not to mentioned the increased security for cash, it’s a perceptibly simple but critical service that’s now protected more than ever, and it’s all thanks to Chubb Security Services. Indeed, no other security provider offers such a service due to its unique requirements, but it’s a service that can be easily adopted at your club. If your venue would like further information or to discuss possible implementation, make time to speak to Chubb Security Services today. Simply contact Martin Morris, Cash Automation Manager, on 02 9930 4282 or 0425 289 271.